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RETURN TO LEARNING Fall 2020 Auburn City Schools
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With appreciation for the engagement of our students, staff, school families, and community
stakeholders, Auburn City Schools courageously steps forward into the 2020-2021 school
year. With focus on the health, safety, and wellness of all community members, Auburn City
Schools embraces our mission, to ensure that each student realizes and nurtures their own
unique talents and intellectual gifts to achieve personal aspirations while admirably
contributing to the greater good.
Every great challenge is an opportunity for renewal and growth. With innovative approaches
to teaching and learning, new measures of safety and precaution, and rapidly changing
circumstances in our state, nation, and world, the COVID-19 pandemic forces all of us to
adapt. It is expected that Auburn City Schools will face obstacles in the year ahead; it is our
goal to demonstrate flexibility and acclimate to every extent possible. It is in advance of our
hurdles that we thank you for the same.
School and system administrators are working closely with The Alabama State Department
of Education and receiving guidance from The Alabama Department of Public Health. In
addition, there is partnership with local healthcare officials, community leaders, and
government agencies. Importantly, Auburn City Schools regards highly the alliance of
parents and guardians. Monitoring student health, to include daily screening, is an essential
element of our return to school. It is imperative that we all work together to ensure the
safety of our students and schools.
With much respect for the decision of selecting a learning environment most suitable for
each student and family, Auburn City Schools presents Return to Learning Fall 2020. We
wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to scaffold the educational journey of each student
in the year ahead utilizing remote and traditional learning environments.
The creativity and collective efficacy of our teaching team positions Auburn City Schools to
successfully navigate the 2020-2021 school year. The leadership of our Board of Education,
stewardship of our school administrators, and dedicated service of our support staff
advances Auburn City Schools in actualization. An organization deeply connected to the
members of this community, Auburn City Schools affirms our commitment to students,
parents, guardians and families and stands resolute in joining together to launch, learn,
adjust, and succeed in the school year ahead.
With my respect and gratitude,
Superintendent
Auburn City Schools
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Instructional Options 4
Remote Learning Platform 5
Remote Learning Content 6
Remote Learning Delivery 7
Remote Learning: Other Considerations 8
Remote Learning: Weeks 0-1 9
Traditional Learning: Home Preparedness 10
Traditional Learning: Face Coverings 11-12
Traditional Learning: Handwashing and Sanitizing 13
Traditional Learning: Physical Distancing 14
Traditional Learning: Personal Protective Equipment 15
Traditional Learning: Weeks 0-1 16
Traditional Learning: Covid-19 Diagnosis or Exposure 17
Traditional Learning During Quarantine 18
Transportation 19-20
School Operations 21
Sanitizing and Cleaning 22
Child Nutrition Program 23
Assessments 24
Technology Resources 25
Resources 26
Learning Intent Survey 27
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS
Students/families have two options of instructional learning environments
for Fall 2020—a Traditional Learning and a Remote Learning. All students,
regardless of the option selected are subject to the following:
Register for school using the online registration portal for the school in
which the student is zoned (elementary) or for the secondary school with
the grade level in which the student will be enrolled.
Follow the academic calendar for 2020-2021 posted on the Auburn City
Schools website. Click here to view the calendar.
Complete all assessments required by the Alabama State Department of
Education. See Assessment section for a complete list of fall assessments.
Demonstrate mastery of standards described in the Alabama Courses of
Study for the grade and/or subject in which the student is enrolled at the
pacing and rigor required to complete the course content.
Receive feedback at the mid-quarter and end-of-quarter for grades K-2
and receive grades at the end of each quarter for grades 3-12.
Be eligible for participation in after-school events.
Students may transition from Traditional to Remote any time during the
semester, but may transition from Remote to Traditional only in January.
Intent form for change in spring semester will be provided in late fall.
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REMOTE LEARNING PLATFORM
Students must have access to a computer device (not a phone) and high-speed
internet in order to participate in Auburn Remote Learning. All students in grades
7-12 are eligible to receive an iPad. Families who indicate on the survey that they
are without device and internet will be contacted directly by a representative of
the school system to discuss possible options for acquiring necessary equipment.
Families who receive devices from the school must sign and submit the iPad
Student and Parent Agreement Form.
Students enrolled in Remote Learning are assigned coursework that comes
completely from a digital platform and is facilitated by instructors.
• The digital content for Grades K-7 may include SchoolsPLP and
will be facilitated by Auburn City Schools teachers in both
synchronous and asynchronous meetings.
The digital content for Grades 8-12 is Edgenuity and will be
facilitated by teachers outside of Auburn City Schools except for
select ninth grade courses and hybrid 10-12 grade courses.
• The Learning Management Platforms for all grades K-12 in
Remote Learning are Schoology or Edgenuity.
Students and families should expect to be engaged in daily online learning
with the standards of pacing and rigor used in the traditional model.
Attendance for Auburn Remote Learning is determined by participation in
daily online learning events and weekly assignments.
Students enrolled in Remote Learning will remain in Remote Learning for the
entire first semester. A form for the second semester will be distributed late
fall in which families can communicate their intent to either remain in
Remote Learning or transfer to Traditional Learning.
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REMOTE LEARNING CONTENT
Courses offered in Remote Learning will be the same as those offered in
Traditional Learning as much as possible.
REMOTE LEARNING DELIVERY
Grades K-5
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Physical Education
Art
Music (Not Kindergarten)
Grades 6-7
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Physical Education
At least one additional
elective/exploratory that could
include Art, Music, or Coding
Grades 8-12
As much as possible, the subjects for which a student registered for the fall
semester will be the subjects included in Remote Learning.
However, all courses and electives are not available through Edgenuity, including
some Career Technical courses and advanced courses. Families will be contacted
by school counselors about solutions for elective courses that are not offered
through Edgenuity.
Schedules will be developed with attention to required prerequisites, course
sequence and graduation requirements.
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REMOTE LEARNING DELIVERY
Remote learning requires daily interaction with content. Because multiple
academic areas are required daily, the instruction may be delivered throughout the
day in grades K-7. Except for select ninth grade courses and hybrid courses in
grades 10-12, students in grades 8-12 will be able to access all content at any time
during the day, but daily access is required to maintain pacing requirements for
learning.
The following daily online time requirements, recommended by the Alabama
State Department of Education, will be used as guidelines for teachers in the
Remote Learning model. Additional off-line work will be required each day to
complete assignments.
Grade Level Time Requirement
Kindergarten 30-90 minutes per day
First and Second Grades 45-90 minutes per day
Third – Fifth Grades 1 – 3 hours per day
Sixth – Eighth Grades 15-30 minutes per class per day
Ninth – Twelfth Grades 20-45 minutes per class per day
Attendance for Auburn Remote Learning is determined by participation and
engagement in online learning events and daily and weekly assignments. For
students with an IEP, an amendment to the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
may be written based on the individual needs of the student as a learner in a
remote setting.
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REMOTE LEARNING: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
For students with an IEP, an amendment to the IEP may be written based on
the individual needs of the student as a learner in a remote setting. All
services described in the IEP will be provided.
Elementary students who are eligible for Venture Pull-Out will receive
weekly enrichment assignments from Venture Pull-Out teachers.
Remote Learning students may participate in extra-curricular activities
including athletics.
Students who participate on teams or groups for which there is a
coordinating class during the day on campus may come to school for that
class.
Homeschool students who are athletes may select the Remote Learning
option for their required course. Click here for information about
participation in Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA)
sanctioned sports by non-traditional students.
Students who receive EL services will continue to receive support as part of
Remote Learning.
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REMOTE LEARNING: WEEKS 0-1
iPad Pickup for students in grades 7-12 will be scheduled August 4-7.
Families in grades K-6 who need devices will receive iPads August 4-7.
Families who need Internet access will be contacted by district personnel.
Students in Grades K-7 will participate in Virtual Meet the Teacher August 4-
7. Video and/or WebEx meeting times will be communicated by the school.
A parent orientation session for all students in Remote Learning (Grades K-
12) will be scheduled August 4-7. This orientation session will be conducted
virtually. The topics of the orientation session will include Schoology,
attendance, grades, and daily schedules.
Students in grades K-7 will receive a virtual orientation session on August 10
that covers access to and navigation of Schoology, attendance, grades, and
daily schedules.
Students in grades 8-12 will receive a virtual orientation session on August
10 that covers access to and navigation of Schoology and/or Edgenuity,
attendance, grades, and daily schedules.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: HOME PREPAREDNESS
The first line of defense for preventing the spread of infection in our schools
is the home defense. Parents and families should be familiar with the
symptoms associated with infection and keep students at home if any of
these symptoms are evident. These symptoms include:
Fever of 100.4, especially first thing in the morning
Cough, runny nose, or sinus congestion
Trouble breathing or persistent pain or pressure in the chest
Abdominal pain or stomach ache; Diarrhea or vomiting
Body aches
New loss of taste or smell
Honest communication between schools and families is essential. If in doubt,
please keep students at home.
If a member of the household is COVID-19 positive, students in the household
are required to complete a 10-14 day quarantine and follow protocols for
return to school.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: FACE COVERINGS
The greatest risk for infection occurs when people are in close contact with
someone with a confirmed positive case. Close contact is defined as being
within approximately 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case for a total of 15
minutes or longer or having direct contact with infectious secretions of
COVID-19 by a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Signage related to COVID-19 safety precautions will be displayed in all
schools.
There are three practical guidelines that lower the risks of close contact, the
first of which is the use of face coverings.
COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory
droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises
their voice (e.g., while shouting, chanting, or singing). These droplets can
land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled
into the lungs. Recent studies show that a significant portion of individuals
with COVID-19 lack symptoms (are “asymptomatic”) and that even those
who eventually develop symptoms (are “pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the
virus to others before showing symptoms.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends that people wear cloth
face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their
household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to
maintain.
About Cloth Face Coverings
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: FACE COVERINGS
ACS Employees
According to the June 30th Order of the State Health Officer, “Each employee
[of an educational institution] shall, to the greatest extent practical wear a
mask or other facial covering that covers his or her nostrils and mouth at all
times when in regular interaction within six feet of a person from a different
household.” Based on this order, all staff will wear face coverings in the
circumstances described in the order, including masks and/or face shields.
ACS Students
Students in Auburn City Schools will be required to wear masks, as feasible.
Students attending school on campus will be provided a reusable, washable
face cover at the beginning of the school year. Parents/guardians are asked
to provide additional masks, as needed. Disposable masks will be available
for incidental use but should be reserved for an emergency in which the
provided or personal mask is not available. Students should be practiced and
prepared in managing their mask independently. The wearing of masks by
students during the school day will follow practical guidelines that are
appropriate for the student’s health needs and developmental stage.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: HANDWASHING AND SANITIZING
The greatest risk for infection occurs when people are in close contact with
someone with a confirmed positive case. Close contact is defined as being
within approximately 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case for a total of 15
minutes or longer or having direct contact with infectious secretions of
COVID-19 by a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Signage related to COVID-19 safety precautions will be displayed in all
schools.
There are three practical guidelines that lower the risks of close contact, the
second of which is handwashing and sanitizing.
Custodial staff will sanitize doorknobs and handles routinely with
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant.
Classroom teachers will be provided with bottles of hand sanitizers and
surface-cleaning sanitizers that will be refilled as needed throughout the
semester as long as supplies are available.
Students will be encouraged to wash hands and/or sanitize regularly
throughout the day, especially before and after transitions to different parts
of the building.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: PHYSICAL DISTANCING
The greatest risk for infection occurs when people are in close contact with
someone with a confirmed positive case. Close contact is defined as being
within approximately 6 feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case for a total of 15
minutes or longer or having direct contact with infectious secretions of
COVID-19 by a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Signage related to COVID-19 safety precautions will be displayed in all
schools.
There are three practical guidelines that lower the risks of close contact, the
third of which is physical distancing. Complete physical distancing is
impossible to achieve during the school day, elevating the importance of the
first two guidelines.
As much as is feasible, physical distancing will be enforced. Excess classroom
furniture will be removed to allow for more spacing between desks. As much
as possible, tables will be replaced by desks which will all be oriented
forward facing 3-6 feet apart. Click this link for information about physical
distancing from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Entry to school routines will change to decrease large group congregations of
students. Travel routes inside and outside the buildings will be changed to
decrease or eliminate contact with larger groups. Dismissals will be
staggered.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Auburn City Schools has purchased washable, reusable cloth masks with
adjustable straps for each student and staff member. Students may wear
their own face masks as long as those masks are cloth and cover the nose and
mouth. Designs or logos on face masks must meet student dress code
regulations. See page 22 of the Student and Parent Handbook for specific
information about dress code.
Face shields and gloves have been purchased for teacher and staff use.
According to the CDC, face shields are not a substitute for cloth face
coverings. Face shields will be used by teachers when it is important for
students to see the teacher’s mouth.
A supply of disposable masks for incidental use has been ordered.
Signage related to COVID-19 safety precautions will be displayed in all
schools.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: WEEKS 0-1
There will be no face-to-face Meet the Teacher or Open House. These
meetings will be held virtually and coordinated by individual schools the
week of August 4-7.
Students in grades 7-12 will receive iPads August 10-14.
During the first week of school, students will be oriented in the use and
access of the Learning Management Platform that will be used in case of
future quarantine or school closure.
A regular school schedule will be followed beginning August 10 in all schools.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING: COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS
Auburn City Schools will follow the guidance of local, state, and national
health professionals and adopt a symptom-based strategy that recommends
a 10-14 day quarantine period for persons both exposed to COVID-19
through close contact or for persons with a positive test. The
recommendations are subject to change as new information is gathered.
COVID-19 Positive Diagnosis
A student or staff member with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis will be subject
to a 10-14 day quarantine and will follow the guidance of their healthcare
provider and the Alabama Department of Public Health.
COVID-19 Positive Exposure
If a student or faculty member is diagnosed positive for COVID-19, the
parents or guardians of any student with risk of infection due to close contact
will be notified. Parents and guardians will be advised to contact the
student’s healthcare provider to be assessed and given further directives.
A student or staff member with positive exposure will need to complete a 10-
14 day quarantine measured from the date of last exposure.
Return to School
For both a positive diagnosis and a positive exposure, the parent/guardian
must provide to ACS in writing one of the following statements about the
student from their healthcare provider:
The student has a negative COVID-19 test and is symptom free at the
completion of the 10-14-day quarantine, OR
The student has been symptom free during the 10-14-day quarantine.
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TRADITIONAL LEARNING DURING QUARANTINE
There may be circumstance in which students in traditional learning are
mandated through quarantine to leave the traditional school setting and
receive all content online.
Students during quarantine will continue to receive assignments from
classroom teachers using an online learning management system (for
example, Schoology). In the case of a large group quarantine or a school
closure, students will engage in fully online learning with the Traditional
Learning classroom teacher when possible.
The rigor and pace of learning will continue through times of quarantine.
Students who are ill or symptomatic during quarantine will receive extended
time to complete assignments.
If a positive case has been identified in school, Auburn City Schools will
follow CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting.
Auburn City Schools will monitor positive cases of COVID-19 and stay in
contact with the Alabama Department of Public Health Epidemiology
Department. We will follow their recommendations for classroom, school or
district closure.
Distance learning will begin on the third school day after classroom closure
to allow for preparation and transition.
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TRANSPORTATION
School bus transportation operations will proceed normally unless otherwise
notified by Auburn City Schools. Due to COVID-19, parents/guardians are
encouraged to transport students by private vehicle, if possible.
Any modifications to the transportation plan for students with an IEP require
approval and should be reflected in the IEP.
Bus Drivers
Drivers will spray common touch points (seats, aisle flooring, floors between
seats, handrails, entrance doors, and driver controls inside the bus) with a
disinfectant prior to the start of a route, between routes and immediately
following the completion of a route.
Bus drivers and aides will wear face masks and/or eye glasses or safety goggles.
Before Entering the Bus
Communication will be sent home to parents of bus riders emphasizing their
responsibility to check temperatures and screen before placing students on the bus.
Parents/guardians should check for COVID-19 related symptoms daily. If any symptoms exist, do not let your child come to school.
Students should socially distance themselves at bus stops.
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TRANSPORTATION, CONTINUED
While On the Bus
Students are required to wear masks on buses.
Students will apply hand sanitizer as they enter the bus. A dispenser of hand sanitizer will be mounted and available.
The first two seats behind the bus driver and the first seat of the passenger row will remain empty at all times.
Students will have assigned seats and family households will sit together.
Buses will be loaded from the rear to the front and unloaded from the front
to the rear.
Students will face forward and not lean over seats while on the bus.
Each bus will reserve the second seat of the passenger row as a quarantine
seat for students who show symptoms while on the bus.
Weather permitting, roof hatches and windows will be open to keep fresh air
circulating .
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SCHOOL OPERATIONS
Schools will proceed with normal hours of operation unless otherwise
notified by ACS. Updated Check-In/Check-Out procedures will be
communicated by each individual school with back-to-school information.
Visitors to buildings during normal operating hours will be limited and by
appointment only. Masks or facial coverings will be required of visitors in
school buildings.
Masks will be required for service, maintenance, or other essential personnel
to enter school buildings.
To minimize exposure, personal deliveries to students will be limited to
medical needs only.
Students will be able to check out library books with temporary book
isolation taking place upon return of books. Individual media center
visitation and checkout procedures will vary in each school.
After school programs in elementary schools will operate as scheduled with
social distancing and cohort groups utilized as feasible. Similar measures that
take place during the school day will occur during after school hours.
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SANITIZING AND CLEANING
School facilities will undergo routine cleaning following guidance from the
CDC using EPA-approved products.
High touch areas will be wiped down multiple times per day.
Water fountains will be accessible during the day. Water fountains will be
sanitized. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle filled from home
with water daily.
Areas of the building that have been exposed to contact of the COVID-19
virus will be cleaned and disinfected, including student isolation/quarantine
designated rooms.
Enhanced facility routines will include regular or increased maintenance
and/or replacement of air filters.
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CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
Breakfast will be served utilizing social distancing for lines and seating.
Touchless data entry will occur at the point of sale.
Individual lunch procedures will be established at each site to accommodate
social distancing as much as feasible for their physical spaces. Pre-plated
meals will be available to all students. Touchless data entry will occur at the
point of sale.
Families are encouraged to prepay to reduce the handling of money using My
School Bucks.
Ala carte items will not be available for sale in elementary schools. Limited
ala carte items will be available in secondary schools with a cash line that will
not provide change.
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ASSESSMENTS FOR FALL 2020
Regardless of enrollment in Traditional or Remote Learning, some
assessments are required by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Grades K-3
The following assessments are required to be taken in the fall by students in
grades K-3 as part of the Alabama Literacy Act. Students in Remote Learning
will take the assessments virtually.
• Alabama Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (Click for
information about the new AlaKids assessment for Kindergarten
students)
• DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills)
• Renaissance Star Universal Screener
Per the Alabama Literacy Act, parents of students who need additional
attention, focus, and support as informed by universal screeners will be
notified of the interventions that will be used with their child.
Grades 4-9
Renaissance Star Universal Screeners will also be completed in both
Traditional and Remote Learning settings for students in grades 4-9.
Grades 10-12
The following assessments are paper/pencil tests that must be taken at
Auburn High School whether the student is enrolled in Traditional or Remote
Learning.
• ACT Plus Writing for Grade 12, September 22
• Pre-ACT for Grade 10, September 28-October 16
• WorkKeys for Grade 12, October 7
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TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
Clever is a single sign-on web-based portal used by Auburn City Schools to
make access to online products easier for students and parents. All students,
whether in Traditional or Remote Learning, will use Clever to access web-
based products available to students, including Nearpod, EduType and Office
365.
Click here to access Clever. Students will use their network login credentials
for their username and lunch number for the password. The typical login
credentials are the student’s first two initials and last name. For example,
William Tyler Johnson would use wtjohnson as his username. Contact the
school directly for any problems accessing Clever.
Schoology is available as an app on iPad devices. The username and
password for the app-based version of Schoology are the same as the Clever
login credentials.
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RESOURCES
The following list of resources has been used by Auburn City Schools in
planning and facilitating the launch of school.
Alabama Achieves: Roadmap to Reopening Schools
Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama Safer at Home Orders
American Academy of Pediatrics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Coronavirus Rumor Control
World Health Organization Myth-Busting
How to Protect Yourself and Others
ACS Parent and Student Handbook
ACS School Calendar
ACS Pandemic Preparedness Plan
Alabama Courses of Study
Alabama Literacy Act
ACCESS Courses Offered Fall 2020
Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds
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LEARNING INTENT SURVEY
All parents and guardians should complete the ACS Learning Intent Form Fall
2020 for each child.
Click here to access the English Language survey.
Click here to access the Spanish Language survey.
Click here to access the Auburn City Schools Learning Models description
sent to parents and guardians July 2, 2020.
Click here to access the Auburn City Schools Elementary Talking Points
document sent to parents and guardians July 2, 2020.
Click here to access the Auburn City Schools Secondary Talking Points
document sent to parents and guardians July 2, 2020.
All images from The Noun Project.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this document does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Instead, all information, content, and material available in this document are for general information purposes only. Information in this document may not constitute the most up-to-date information. As information and guidance change, so may the contents of this document. This document contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader or user. ACS and its staff do not recommend or endorse the contents of third-party sites.
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